governess
Household children's teacher
A governess is a woman employed to educate and care for children in a private household.
Unlike a nanny, who focuses primarily on childcare, a governess provides formal instruction—teaching reading, languages, music, and deportment.
The role was common among middle- and upper-class families in the 18th and 19th centuries, often filled by educated women of reduced circumstances.
Jane Eyre worked as a governess at Thornfield Hall.
The word now sounds historical or British.
Hired child caretaker
- nursemaidDomestic child caretaker
- childminderProfessional youth caretaker
- au pairForeign live-in childcare worker
- babysitterHired child caretaker
caregiver · minder · duenna · nurse · keeper · attendant · guardian · chaperone
- BrontëLiterary sisters' surname
- VictorianOf a prim era
- romanceLove and its excitement
- novelNew and unusual
heroine · genteel · respectable · orphan · penniless · educated · gentlewoman · reduced circumstances
Individual instruction provider
- instructorOne who teaches skills
- lessonsUnits of teaching
- schoolroomIndoor teaching space
- pupilLearner or eye opening
teaching · curriculum · learning · literacy · grammar · French · piano · deportment
nanny
Hired child caretaker
- nursemaidDomestic child caretaker
- childminderProfessional youth caretaker
- au pairForeign live-in childcare worker
babysitter · caregiver · minder · duenna · nurse · keeper · attendant · guardian · chaperone · companion
Jane Eyre
novel · heroine · genteel · respectable · orphan · penniless · educated · gentlewoman · reduced circumstances · marriage plot
tutor
Individual instruction provider
- instructorOne who teaches skills
- lessonsUnits of teaching
- schoolroomIndoor teaching space
pupil · teaching · curriculum · learning · literacy · grammar · French · piano · deportment · accomplishments
strict
Rigorous, without flexibility
- sternStrict or ship's aft
- rulesPrinciples governing behavior
- correctionFixing of mistakes
propriety · conduct · behavior · obedience · decorum · manners · authority · supervision · firmness · punishment
servant
One employed to serve
mistress · quarters · live-in · wages · position · situation · residence · estate · manor · employment
- Old Jobsblacksmith, farrier, wheelwright, chandler, apothecary
- period dramaperiod costumes, costume drama, Victorian era, period piece, Edwardian era
- helpersnurse, helper, volunteer, aide, assistant
- occupationsdoctor, teacher, baker, lawyer, nurse
- childcaredaycare, after-school programs, babysitter, nanny, babysitting
- caretakerscaretaker, caretakers, caregiver, guardian, minder
governessscullery maid
Lowest-ranking female kitchen servant
housemaid · kitchen maid · charwoman · servant · domestic
governesstutor
Individual instruction provider
schoolmaster · governor · manservant · butler · valet
- consent of the governedRulers need citizen approval
- consent of governedLegitimacy from citizen approval